26 April 2011

Monkey see, Monkey do . . .

I read a tweet by Dr. Jim Burns, President of HomeWord at Azusa Pacific University, the other day. He asked, "What are your own media choices teaching your children?" That got me to thinking about what I have taught my children over the years through my TV habits. Here is a quick list from 10 to 1 (pre tv fast):

10: There are very few things in life as important as your favorite show.

9: If it's on TV, it's okay to watch. No matter what you believe.

8: If it's funny on TV, it's funny in real life.

7: If it's okay to say on TV, it's okay to say in real life.

6: No matter what is on, or what is happening around you, it's always a good time to watch TV.

5: The best thing to talk about with others is what you saw on TV the night before.

4: All other forms of information and/or entertainment are inferior to TV

3: Problems are all solved in 30-60 minutes, each with a happy ending.

2: You have to be skinny and beautiful and wealthy to matter.

1: Beer commercials are the funniest things in life.

Umm. This list is depressing. Worst than that, I believe if you were all really honest, you would have to admit to at least a few of these things being true in your own life. It doesn't stop with TV. Think about the music you listen to, the movies you watch, the books you read, etc. We teach our children so much more by what we do rather than what we say.

Proverbs 17:6 says, "Children’s children are a crown to the aged,

and parents are the pride of their children."

I don't know about you, but I want to be the pride of my children for all the right reasons, and not any of the wrong ones.